Find it amusing that a person who uses other peoples identities to post (a form of identity theft?) would have the nerve to call someone else a liar. LMAO Didn't lie about anything. Sad when a person's reading comprehension is so limited they cant tell the difference between the facts (you know, things that have already happened) and opinion (some basic math combined with the terms of the lease). Could it cost less? Of course, but it could also cost even more. The near billion $$$ is a pretty good baseline over the THIRTY year term of the lease (not 15 as you falsely stated). $917.88M 30 YEAR TOTAL. This is approaching the BILLION $$$ mark. $611.44M 15 year total. Feel free to refute my previous post detailing my projections and explain why it won't cost that much. In other word's quit making baseless accusations when you give no support.

Since the City is paying for all of the renovations to make the Ford an NBA arena, am sure the NBA floor would be part of that.

I read that, Larry...I was talking about the "new" one, the one that was too short. I guess that would make it the "original" new one? I would have expected this replacement floor to be here at no charge, but I am curious as to who bore the expense of replacing the floor that was in the Ford before the dunder announcement came...

The real paul: Are you talking about the replacement floor that they messed up the 3 point line on? If that is the one, the article said it would be at no cost to the City or the Team (the makers of the floor were replacing it at their expense and probably donating the old one to a needy school or something).

Im sure the team will get better. And to James from Tulsa, lets not talk about OKC being a loser city. Please tell me what is in Tulsa anyway?

I hate it here.

This is a loser team owned by losers in a loser city. I'll be glad once this experiment fails and we get our STATE tax money going to things it should, instead of supporting millionaires in OKC.

Paul, You obviously have no idea what "interim" means.

I probably wouldn't be interested in a job that had already been given to someone else either...

Reached on a hunting trip, Johnson told NBA.com that he's "not interested in the Oklahoma job right now." Johnson added that he plans to be "hunting for the rest of the year."

Where is kansas matt from renton and his super cool youtube video?

...and despite me trying to cover for him, Larry did tell those lies...

Of course you're right, Mitch...Reading your words made me feel dirty and ashamed. It's a sickness....I hope and pray that I can get help before my boss catches me and I lose my job...

Larry...has it ever been brought to light who paid for the new floor? I think perhaps they've failed to mention that in any article thus far..... (Maybe that was part of the 3 million borrowed so far that wasn't going to happen).....

Good one, Fake Paul/TDawg.. Larry knows that I'm in complete agreement with him on the Ford fiasco....while we may not see eye to eye on other issues, he and I both know the Ford is going to be a drain on the residents of okaysee for far longer than 15 months. They've already lied about "not borrowing money"...... They've entered into an agreement that heavily favors Clay and the city is left in a poor bargaining position.... Their "high level of sophistication" after the Hornets is comparable to Bill Gates making a business deal with a 5 year old.... the list goes on and on....I see somebody actually is still stating that the "vast majority" of people voted in favor of a Ford tax increase....just goes to show the level of education on the issues that some of you people have.....

...and Larrys is a lousy spin doctor, which is a nice way of saying he's a liar. He's the same guy who has stated as fact that the Ford Center will cost taxpayers a billion dollars over the 15 years of the Thunder lease while at the same time saying that we'll have to build a new arena within 5 years.

Don't confuse David and Jill with facts.

Jill, www.okcthunderfans.com wrote: "....I'm happy to help pay for the improvements to the Ford Center." Yes, we know, and you were more than happy to make everyone else in OKC pay for it too. Like I told you before the vote, feel free to write a bunch of checks to Bennett and/or the City...make as many "donations" as you want. Am sure they will be happy to cash them. They are going to need all of the money you can shovel their way, because OKC is bound by a 15 to 30 year contract to keep paying and paying and paying.... Yet the Ford tax "only" lasts for 15 months instead of 15 years.

Jill, www.okcthunderfans.com wrote: "...there are at least a few improvements that I hope will be appreciated by our Big Twelve and NCAA tournament visitors in March." What improvements would those be? The ONE added bathroom? LMAO By the way, it was reported that the improvements will be done during the NBA off season. The Thunder's last game this season is APRIL 15th, isn't that AFTER the "Big Twelve and NCAA tournament", so which improvements are they going to be enjoying again? Not to mention that the City has already borrowed $3 million to start the bathroom improvements (not one penny of tax has been collected yet). So much for the false claim that the improvements would be done without incurring any debt.

David, Oklahoma City wrote: "The Ford Center's improvements are for more than just basketball. Better concerts and more events. Also, it will help bring more conventions and other things to the city." Please explain how any of the improvements are going to bring better concerts? (The Mayor made the same false claim, that it would bring bigger and better concerts). This very paper reported that most big name acts/concert promoters are concerned about back stage amenities for the artist and seating capacity/ticket sales (the reason why we got acts we didn't get before, because of the old Myriad/Cox Convention Center's limited seating capacity..the Ford seats approx 5,000 more than the Myriad). Don't recall seeing anything in the list of improvements that had anything to do with backstage amenities, so that can't be it. After the improvements are made, we are DECREASING seating capacity by 500 seats, so that can't be it either. More events? How does taking 82 dates off of the calendar bring in more events? In case you hadn't noticed, the vast majority of the improvements ARE for the team/NBA. At least the most expensive ones (the added on square footage of the Ford that houses the team offices, locker rooms, tv production facilities, the external practice facility etc). They kept claiming the improvements would be enjoyed by "every event goer". Other than the improved finishes in the bathrooms (only ONE bathroom being added, by the way). The rooftop garden and the "picture postcard" new south entrance, the improvements were either exclusively for the team or to "maximize revenue streams" for the team. (Ford Center plan must be OK’d before Sonics vote - 12/21/07) "If legal disputes keep the Sonics from moving to Oklahoma City, the Ford Center improvements will be re-worked or delayed, Cornett said. 'We’re not going to build something we don’t need,' Cornett said." The Mayor admitted the improvements were for the NBA (no NBA, no improvements). While a multi-purpose facility (good thing it was too since concerts etc were the bread and butter of the Ford for the 1st 5 years), it was designed and built to lure a professional team (NHL or NBA). Even after a team announced they were relocating, the Mayor's office and everyone supporting the tax increase kept saying we needed the $120 million in improvements to "lure" the team. Same with the $60 million in tax rebates they got from the State. Strangely, the Hornets didn't need $120 million (just about $2 million in relocation expenses and upgrades to the Ford, i.e., an NBA court etc) and they still made $40 million both years they were here (a 5% increase over their revenue in N.O. the previous season). In Sept of 2005, Stern said. “Fortunately, the Hornets have received a gracious invitation from Mayor Mick Cornett and the business leaders and citizens of Oklahoma City to play their home games in the Ford Center, a FIRST-CLASS FACILITY that we hope to fill with new Hornets fans this season.” In April of last year "Stern said he didn't think the Ford Center, which cost only $89 million and opened in 2002, necessarily needed to be upgraded to host an NBA team in the future." More Conventions? Isn't that what the Cox CONVENTION Center is for? How many conventions are held in the Ford? Where is the convention space at? Didn't see that mentioned in the improvements either. If the conventions are held in the arena, they have to be sandwiched in-between NBA dates (can't start a convention, tear it down, have an NBA game, then set up the convention again). And again, you have taken 82 dates off the calendar so there is less opportunity, not more.

And I'm making sure I don't shop outside of Oklahoma City after Jan. 1, Larry, so I'll try and make up the difference:) I'm enjoying having our team, and I'm happy to help pay for the improvements to the Ford Center. Although it isn't anywhere near as nice as it will be in a couple of years, there are at least a few improvements that I hope will be appreciated by our Big Twelve and NCAA tournament visitors in March.

Chris, Oklahoma City wrote: "People wanted Ford Center improvements even before Clay ever bought the team. And it was going to be am item on the MAPS III vote." In the MAPS 3 survey the City did, Ford Center improvements barely made the suggestion list. The vast majority of respondents wanted mass transit/light rail. While Mayor Mick said the Ford improvements were going to be part of the MAPS 3 package, when asked if the vote failed, would they be put back into MAPS 3 again and he said No.

Even with gas being a lot lower, one would have to find a local community where the sales tax is lower than OKC (some are higher, so you aren't saving anything there), plus have to take into consideration how much driving out of your way to save a penny tax is worth to you (what is the minimum wage now?) Plus the cost of gas round-trip (even at reduced prices), wear and tear on the car etc etc. End up costing you a lot more than the penny per dollar. Just to avoid paying a "voluntary tax". She sounds like the same type of person that drives all the way across town just to get gas for a penny or two less a gallon than the station around the corner. LMAO Now if I happen to be in one of those communities, will definitely buy it there than OKC starting Jan 1.

By Susan's reasoning, property taxes are voluntary too, just don't own property here...

Susan, Oklahoma City: If you think the sales tax is completely voluntary, just try to walk out of the store with your purchase without paying it...want to see what our infamous county jail looks like up close? LOL

Whatever, you guys still sucks. OKC always has sucked and always will suck. lol

Uh oh...fake Philip's drunk again. Somebody get his keys and call his mama...

Your a simpleton, Leonard...Short bus stock...Let me break it down to a grade school level for you... http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/huskies/389068_moore24.html "The undisputed worst team in the country, as well as the newest candidate for worst team in Pac-10 history. With their 0-11 record, the Dawgs have already locked up worst team in school history with a 12th pounding to come at Cal in two weeks. Unless they beat Hawaii, this year's edition of the Cougs will still be the worst in WSU history, too." See how that pesky word, HISTORY keeps popping up?

aALL I KNOW IS THIS IDIOT IS RUNNING OUT OF E-MAIL ADDRESSES TO REMEMBER TO PLAY ON THE COMPUTER ALL DAY AND NIGHT. WHAT A FOOL FAKE PAUL / TDAWG / FAKE JILL IS, REALLY PATHETIC.

FAKE PAUL IS A TROLL. ANOTHER POOR PERSON WHO CAN NOT GET AFFECTION FROM HIS MOTHER BECAUSE SHE IS TO BUSY SELLING HERSELF.

WE ARE A BIG LEAGUE CITY NOW, THANKS CLAY AND MAYOR MICK. NOTHING BETTER THAN BEING THE LAUGHING STOCK OF AMERICA. 1-13 AND IT IS ALL DOWN HILL FROM HERE. NEXT HOME GAME, NOT EVEN A SELL OUT.

"A blind man could see the the sports scene in Washington is pathetic on a historic scale. All the guys there must be sissys because they obviously can't play sports." You didn't take history in school? Or are you really that stupid? I am beginning to believe the latter.

Are you too stupid to see it, fake Philip? The curse is on Seattle. No matter how badly the Thunder are doing, every sports team that anyone cares about in Washington is doing worse. Meanwhile in sports heaven.... Sooners style their way to No. 2 in coaches' poll By Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY Whether coaches like to admit it, there are style points in college football. Oklahoma used them to their advantage, and the Sooners might now be in a position to play for the Bowl Championship Series title. As usual in college football, there could also be controversy. On the strength of Oklahoma's 65-21 demolition of previously unbeaten and second-ranked Texas Tech in prime time, the voters in the USA TODAY coaches poll elevated the Sooners to the No. 2 position... Bradford Passes Harrell in Heisman Trophy Race By Thayer Evans The New York Times By passing for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns against Texas Tech, the Oklahoma redshirt sophomore quarterback Sam Bradford could now be the front runner. The Texas redshirt junior Colt McCoy, who was idle Saturday, also has a strong case and had been a leading contender until his team lost at Texas Tech earlier this month. OSU football: Cowboys look to build on success By Scott Wright Published: November 22, 2008 STILLWATER — With new facilities and a top-15 team, Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy’s recruiting pitch is as strong as ever during his four seasons. Sooners hold off Wildcats; Griffin, Curry put on a show OU 82, Davidson 78 By John Helsley Published: November 19, 2008 NORMAN — Stephen Curry got his. Blake Griffin eventually got his, too...and more...and it was a bunch. Curry wowed with a career- and game-high 44 points for No. 21-ranked Davidson, but Griffin and the No. 12 Sooners surged behind a big second half to win 82-78 in the second round of the NIT Season Tip-Off before an estimated 9,118 at Lloyd Noble Center. Life just doesn't get much better...LOL

Susie, we cannot afford your salary? Geez, your bosses much be proud to have a civic genius like yourself promoting their company. Your credibilty bottomed out when you posted about not shopping in Oklahoma City because of one thing passed by a large majority, then you topped it off about naming every outline city to shop including Del City. You might be from Seattle. Shop in Del City? Sound like someone looking at a map before posting.

Fake Paul, TDawg / Mommy's basement... CLEAN UP ON AISLE 5....The PLUNDER SUCK BIG TIME. Clay has all of you fooled, but I did not expect less...LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

...but what do you expect....they're from Seattle...

You could morph Red Auerbach, Phil Jackson, and Pat Riley into one person and it wouldn't change the fate of this team....they are young and don't have enough talent....period.

Don't care, the Thunder are new here and there's really no emotional attachment. If it takes a couple of years to become a winner, it's no big deal because we don't really feel anything when they lose. The teams that are near and dear to us, where we have a deep emotional attachment are all kicking butt and taking names. It truly is sports heaven here right now. It's fun watching the curse blow up in Washingtons face...

"Don't you see it, Scumbag. The curse has backfired. No matter how badly the Thunder are doing, every sports team that anyone cares about in Washington is doing worse." Don't care, the Sonics were the only team I gave a rip about. Long live the curse :)

I get off on okie bashing but let's get real here for a second.....I'm no idiot. A blind man could see the the sports scene in Washington is pathetic on a historic scale. All the guys there must be sissys because they obviously can't play sports.

The fake paul may bash institutions of higher learning but that's something I would certainly never do. My primary criticism is about misplaced prioritys. I address shortcomings.....how big of a hypocrite would I have to be to critize what's right about this place? I'm getting sick and tired of this loser mocking me....

Fake Paul, you are up past your bedtime.... If you had any brains, you'd know I bash both OU and OSU with equal pleasure,,,therefore, I'd not be talking about how good some news article said they were doing, or their elevation in ranking. They'll get a bowl spot, unless they get stupid (probable) and lose an easy game, but if they don't I'm sure a player will manage to steal a jacket or get arrested for something the night before the bowl game. Nice try though, doofus...

Don't you see it, Scumbag. The curse has backfired. No matter how badly the Thunder are doing, every sports team that anyone cares about in Washington is doing worse. Meanwhile in sports heaven.... Sooners style their way to No. 2 in coaches' poll By Eddie Timanus, USA TODAY Whether coaches like to admit it, there are style points in college football. Oklahoma used them to their advantage, and the Sooners might now be in a position to play for the Bowl Championship Series title. As usual in college football, there could also be controversy. On the strength of Oklahoma's 65-21 demolition of previously unbeaten and second-ranked Texas Tech in prime time, the voters in the USA TODAY coaches poll elevated the Sooners to the No. 2 position...

Next loss, Phoenix. Go Thunder!!! Man, can it get any better than this :)

"Uh....Leonard, that quote was from Art Thiel in this mornings Seattle P-I. We don't need some hick texan coming here and calling Seattle sports writers morons." Ok, my bad on the source (Thiel is great satire, one of the best out there) but the fact you used such a quote for effect to slander Seattle as some Sports stupid town does not change my point much.. By the way genius, do you REALLY think I am a Texan just because I live there, get a clue!!!

Ahahahahahaahahahahahahahah 1-13 GO THUNDER!!! The curse is working: http://www.cursethethunder.com/thank_you.php

David & Chris, I got my information from the a lot of higher ups who I actually DO work for. You, happily, aren't one of them. But I'll let them know that they don't know what they're talking about. I doubt you could afford my salary. Thanks, though.

Funny thing how all the lame brains in the northwest are commenting on the state of the Thunder when most of the roster was put together by the geniuses that are the former owners. Like I said earlier, thank goodness Clay came in and rescued the franchise from those morons. Paul from Yukon, don't worry about how Okies handle the truth because when they actually do hear it they'll respond accordingly but that sh@# you spew out of your pie hole resembles nothing remotely truthful or accurate.

It amazes me how many people want to post their opinions on here without doing any research. It helps to educate yourself on a topic before making urself look ignorant on a public forum. PJ was a worthless coach and this team needs a motivator and a teacher, not a hothead. Looks like to me deep down the players wanted PJ to go, maybe Brooks can be the coach they will play hard for. And YES it does matter who the coach is and what style he coaches! If a team is loosing, the coach should be held accountable, not upper management! It's the coaches job to put the pieces together and motivate his players. They needed to get back to the basics, running productive offenses, rebounding, free throw shooting... ALL pretty simple stuff. PJ lost touch with his players and they obviously didn't respect him. To Seattle fans, it's OVER, I'm not trashing Seattle but it's time to move along. I have faith a new team will be there soon and if you look at the big picture this whole situation probably helped you guys. Paul, funny thing is you want to come on here and bash the Thunder yet your their number 1 fan! Watching the games, online on the live blog, keeping track of the players... sounds like a big fan to me!

Thought the PJ hire was bad one in the first place. This team will get better as season comes around. Seattle peeps come one guys enough all ready get a NBA team and supporting one. You would still have this one if you would build a good venue. OKC Thunder playoff's 2 years away.

Oh yea, chris, you're such a "free thinker". Did you ride your bike naked around Seattle to protest oil dependency? Take your kids to Hempfest this year? Funny that the remark came from somebody in Seattle...left coast wacko...LOL

I would never emulate someone who thinks she or he is an idiot. paul is just my moniker name.

left coast wacko? that is ridiculous, so closed minded

Jane Fonda is a left coast wacko.....

I'm impressed. Not only do I have at least one person emulating me, it appears I have more than one doing so. Why am I not surprised that Okies cannot stand being faced with the truth?

"Thunder may turn out okay with another coach and GM, but such a young team and no strong role players, it has a long way to go". I finally somewhat agree with someone from seattle. Yes, we need to find a good veteran point guard in my opinion.

like to hear the OKC complaining that Seattle fans are still bitter of the move. Just shows we are all loyal NBA fans for 41 years, something you OKC folks wouldn't know or understand. Sure Seattle-area teams really suck right now in 2008 - but our fans remember the old "James" gangs of the 80's and 90's at UW, the national championship and Rose Bowls and the countless number of players (especially QBs) the DAWGS sent to the NFL, the several good COUG teams and the Rose Bowls they've been to, the past 5 NFC West titles and 2006 Super Bowl by the Seahawks, WNBA World Champion Storm, and the many AL Division titles by the M's. Seattle fans are not fairweather fans, and we know we will get an NBA franchise that will wear Sonic green once again. Seattle teams will bounce back, they always do. We just happened to hit the downward cycle for each team after lots of success in the 90's and early 2000's. Thunder may turn out okay with another coach and GM, but such a young team and no strong role players, it has a long way to go. I'm gusessing a decade or more. Carlesimo and Westhead were at their best in college and Westhead's run and gun offense never translated well to the pro game and teaches awful basketball skills. This offense assumes you have a bunch of high percentage perimeter shooters. It's no wonder the Thunder are so bad. The best coaches with young players are already taken by other teams, and I know Lenny Wilkens would rather have his eyes dipped in boiling oil before going to any team but the Sonics.

Its okay to be an idiot sometimes, but just not all the time. Yes, paul, we need to stay competitive with other cities or our quality of life will go down.

Oh yea...what was I thinking. I'm SUCH an idiot sometimes. I need to cut down on the booze...LOL. Mens Big 12 Basketball tourney's Womens Big 12 basketball tourney's Mens and womens NCAA basketball tourney's Big 12 wrestling tourney's We've had these events in the past, but with new arena's coming online in KC, Tulsa, Omaha and Wichita there was no guarantee we would have got them in the future. The Ford Center remodel moves us right back to the front of the pack... Sorry for my previous shallow, poorly thought out post.

I dont know paul. Why do people upgrade their computers?

"The Ford Center's improvements are for more than just basketball. Better concerts and more events. Also, it will help bring more conventions and other things to the city. That means more sales tax dollars." REALLY ? Tell me how a new scoreboard, a new floor, and new bathrooms, and painted walls are going to help bring " better concerts", "more events", and "conventions" to the Ford, will you??

The first smart move of the year firing Carlosingmo next one one to go should be Presti

Chris, don't help Susan. She isn't well informed. That means you and I have giant step lead over her when it comes to brains and logic. She will work for people like you and me. It is people like her that kept the city in the toilet for many years. Why would anyone drive to Del City to shop? That about sums it up. Sam Presti drafted two players that have similiar games (Durant and Green) and play the same position (small forward). He put together a team full of guys that would be the 9-12 man on many rosters in the NBA. He had the team playing with Earl Watson as a point guard. Watson is a career back up point guard that might be more toward a third tier point guard on a good team. He has had a nice career but it was no time to trade your starting point guard, no matter if he had big ties to Seattle. The defense was already bad, the Hornets shot 54 percent last night because now the team is even softer in the middle but hey, they are scoring points. We haven't seen 97 in weeks. The Thunder organization has been nothing but first class. The product on the court can be fixed. To even think these guys were going to be good was ill thought. It is still the NBA, not college sports were things can turnaround overnight. The Ford Center's improvements are for more than just basketball. Better concerts and more events. Also, it will help bring more conventions and other things to the city. That means more sales tax dollars.

You're right, Chris, it WAS going to be an item on MAPS III. However, that doesn't necessarily mean that everyone wanted those improvements. I think they pulled it out because it was the carrot on the stick. No improvements, no team. The city just created a budget of $100 million for public safety. I'm sure they can do without my money. They seem to be getting it from somewhere.

Well, Susan, considering the tax isn't even being collected yet, you'd be doing the city a disservice right now by shopping in other cities. That penny is still being collected for schools. Once that tax expires in January 2009, the Ford Center tax will kick in. But honestly, what difference does it make? People wanted Ford Center improvements even before Clay ever bought the team. And it was going to be am item on the MAPS III vote.

The awesome thing about raising money for the Ford Center improvements through a sales tax is that it is completely voluntary. If you don't want to support it, shop outside the city limits. Now that gas isn't $4 a gallon, you can afford to drive to Del City, Midwest City, Norman, Edmond, Yukon, Mustang, and any other outlying area that isn't affected by OKC's sales tax for the Big League Disappointment. It's not like raising our property taxes where we don't have a choice. Besides, I'm sure Clay and Aubrey will make up the shortfall.

Paul posts at 4:41 a.m. Most normal people, at that hour, are asleep, and not in front of a computer screen. Most normal people also have jobs, spouses, families, friends, and social lives. Paul is o-for-5 on those fronts. Face it everyone, this webpage is all he's got.

The bennett group destroyed the team last year to get it out of Seattle. He told everyone we were apathetic about a team they destroyed on purpose. They wouldnt allow player interviews and shut the sonics up to the community. And now they expect to turn it around because they moved to Oklahoma!!!??? The Hornets got better because of wise basketball decisions not simply because they were magically touched by the dust in OKC. What a stupid point the aticle makes. And now SCOTTY BROOKSY!!!They cant hire a big name coach cause NO ONE WANTS TO PLAY THERE FOR THE LOSER BENNETT GROUP>!!!!Nice move NBA

Lucky for your newspaper headline writers, a lot of words rhyme with loss......